Newcastle United were keen on bolstering their defence in January and Lille’s Sven Botman and Sevilla star Diego Carlos were their main targets for the centre-back position.
The Magpies failed in signing either of them and ended up bringing Dan Burn back to St James’ Park towards the end of the last window.
Eddie Howe’s side wanted the Lille star and their interest in him was confirmed by his agent. AC Milan also wanted the 22-year-old in the winter market, but like the Magpies, they also couldn’t conclude the operation.
According to TuttoMercatoWeb, the Serie A side have already opened talks for the player’s signing in the summer as he’s their ‘first declared goal’ for the next season.
It’s claimed Lille requested €30m to cut ties with the Dutchman and the English club have been ‘ready to satisfy’ their demands.
The report states the centre-back said no to them, which seems like an approval from him to join Milan in the coming months. They also add Stefano Pioli’s side are ready to offer a deal worth €25m [€20m + €5m in bonuses], which is less than what the French club had requested.
TMW have not taken into consideration the comments made by Botman towards the end of last month. The defender admitted it would be “fun to be part” of Newcastle’s project under their present owners.
With the player admitting he was open to joining the Tyneside club, they could return for him in the summer and will have better financial strength than Milan to complete a deal for Botman.
The Lille star is at the ‘crossroads’ when it comes to his future and Newcastle could provide Milan competition for his signing again after this season.
